Lee Ho-yeon's Harem Plan! (3)
France's Iris Guild. The news that Ellis was returning after so long had already spread among the guild members. It was because of the info that, alongside Ellis for the field training, one more cadet was coming.
"By the way, did you hear? Apparently, someone's coming with Miss Ellis this time. That Lee Ho-yeon guy or something."
"Who's that?"
"He exists. Some genius mage who's been getting famous lately. You really need to pay more attention to the world."
"What the hell. How many times do I have to tell you you're the weird one for knowing that...."
Clack-clack-
"Everyone got it easy today, huh?"
Right then, a woman cut into the men's chatter. Flowing blonde hair down to her waist, eyes like red rubies—a haughty beauty. She looked to be in her early twenties, but her position was the highest among the Iris Guild's team leaders: Team 1 Leader. Her name was Irene. As the daughter of the guild master and vice-guild master, she was like the sky to the regular guild members.
"T-Team Leader! No, sir! Sorry!"
"What're you doing all of a sudden. Relax."
Irene smiled at the guild members who straightened up, then kept walking. Only after she was completely gone did they finally relax.
"Whew... scared me."
"Tsk tsk. I told you to be careful. It's work hours."
"Still, lucky it was Team 1 Leader. Right?"
"Yeah. She always smiles whenever Miss Ellis comes up. You'd think she'd see her as a rival or something... but nah, family bonds."
"Anyway, back to work."
On the other hand.
Hmm-hmm-hmm. Humming a tune, Irene entered the Team 1 Leader's office and crossed her legs on the sofa. In front of the sofa stood a massive full-length mirror, and Irene poured wine into a glass while gazing at her reflection. She loved beautiful things. Aside from hearing "pretty" a ton growing up, she was your average girl who liked princess dolls and cute dresses. But one day, after seeing herself in the mirror, she discovered the most beautiful thing in the world—and fell in love with herself.
That same year she turned eight, her little sister Ellis was born. At first, Irene paid her no mind. Making herself even more perfect and pretty was way more important. The sad truth? She couldn't marry herself. Irene loved beauty, but she hated loneliness. That dilemma didn't last long, though. It was around the time Ellis could toddle around.
"Sis—look at this!"
"Ellis. Sis is busy...."
Ellis came dashing over, holding out a flower to impress her uninterested big sister. That was when Irene realized it. Eyes like red rubies. Still cute now, but she'd grow into a haughty beauty for sure—her own sister. Someone as beautiful as her. That was Irene's childhood.
Slurp—
Irene savored the wine's aroma while watching her reflection like it was TV. It was Château d'Yquem, Ellis's favorite. At the same time, she pulled up a photo on her smartwatch. It was Ellis with Lee Ho-yeon. Irene let out a sigh of regret as she stared.
"If only he were a girl... it'd be perfect."
She'd been shocked when she first saw the photo. Lee Ho-yeon, standing next to Ellis—a guy. Even by narcissistic Irene's standards, he was pretty decent-looking. But he fell a bit short of her bar. The only people she loved besides herself were Ellis. The issue wasn't whether Lee Ho-yeon was handsome or not.
"Hmm... there's just too many suspicious things."
Tap-tap—
Irene frowned, tapping the photo with her nail. She'd heard he was Ellis's masseur, and that alone pissed her off. Of course, given Ellis's personality, she wouldn't let some random guy touch her without reason—he must be damn good. And with her dad Isaac coming back from Korea all sulky, it was confirmed. Fine. Everything checked out. But why the hell was this guy joining the centaur pursuit team? Even when she asked Isaac, he just dodged her eyes and never explained.
"Guess I'll just... meet him and see."
She could ask Ellis or Lee Ho-yeon directly. And it'd been ages since she'd seen her adorable little sister. Irene set down her smartwatch and sipped her wine.
*
Victoria Academy's infirmary.
"This doesn't make sense. Seriously...."
Ellis groaned in frustration from her bed. Her entire body's mana circuits throbbed with pain. She'd gotten some treatment, thank god, but her congenital mana disorder was still a mystery illness without a full cure—it was just a stopgap. The pain barely dulled.
There was only one way to fix it: absorb natural mana bit by bit over days and melt it into her body. Total bed rest.
"...Hoo."
Having to stay cooped up for days more was annoying enough, but something else gnawed at her now.
"How the hell did he do it."
After Sebas Chan's report, Ellis felt uneasy—not just in body, but soul. How had he won over Moon Sulin? It was selfish, sure... but she'd chucked a huge rock into the pure lake of the student council president. She figured massive ripples. So why had Moon Sulin left Lee Ho-yeon's bedside looking not just happy, but blissful?
Ellis couldn't wrap her head around it.
'Why's everyone falling for that playboy's touch one by one.'
She shook her head, forgetting she'd once had a crush herself.
"Ow...."
She stopped quick—the pain in her neck.
Knock-knock-
As Ellis fought back tears from the pain, a knock sounded.
"Ellis, sorry it's late. You up?"
"...."
Speak of the devil. Eerie timing. Lee Ho-yeon's voice. Ellis debated faking sleep, then spoke.
"Come in."
No real reason. She was in too much pain to sleep anyway, and she was curious what he wanted.
Lee Ho-yeon entered, quietly shut the door, and approached the bed.
"You okay?"
He sat naturally in the visitor's chair. Ellis snapped curtly.
"...You can see, right? What're you doing here so late."
"Sorry it's late. Heard you got hurt because of me, so I came to check."
"...."
If you knew, you should've come first.
'What're you even thinking.'
Ellis tamped down the petty jealousy blooming in her chest. She hadn't saved him for praise. It was just that he was the only one who could treat her congenital mana disorder.
"Heard it was bad, got worried... Yeah, I see. Backlash, huh."
Lee Ho-yeon scanned her body and nodded. Ellis's mana circuits had shrunk from forcing out too much mana. Must hurt like hell, yet she kept a composed face—impressive. Probably backlash from her congenital mana disorder. She'd pushed past limits to save him.
"Yeah, backlash. And it wasn't just to save you, so... go rest. You're a patient too."
Ellis hated showing this weak side—especially to him.
"Want me to touch and infuse some mana? Ease the pain."
"...No. I'm fine."
Ellis closed her eyes in refusal. Truth was, the pain was brutal—she wanted to beg. But not tonight. She didn't want to see him. Her weird pride kicked in.
But Lee Ho-yeon didn't back off.
'What's his deal now.'
Not coming to her first. Getting close with Moon Sulin. Various reasons, but of course, Lee Ho-yeon had no clue. He just figured her pride was acting up again.
"You're hurting bad. What if you're still bedridden for field training?"
"...I'll be fine by then. Don't worry."
"No no. Just stay still."
"H-hey, I said don't?! Ahh...."
Without permission, Lee Ho-yeon placed a hand on her arm. Ellis flinched to pull away, but pain limited her to a twitch.
"See? Can't even move right. Just relax."
"No, stop... Guh...."
Despite her protests, he kept going, pressing each finger to loosen her mana circuits.
"Ah, ow...."
Ellis hid her shock. Real-time relief with every touch. A slight sting, then gone.
"Ah, haa...."
"There. Feels good, right? Almost done, hang in."
"...."
Ellis bit her lip, glaring resentfully. That tone—like she was a kid—pissed her off.
"Heeey, ah, haa...."
But as his hand moved up her arm to her knotted shoulder, she winced. The pain intensified. Sure, it vanished permanently after, but brutal.
"W-wait. J-just a sec... Ah, it hurts...."
"Ah, too much?"
Lee Ho-yeon pulled back quick from her shoulder. If prideful Ellis said that, it was real.
"Haa... hoo...."
"But your arm's better now, right?"
"...Yeah."
Ellis averted her eyes. Hated agreeing, but true—the pain had eased.
"If it's too much, we'll go slow. Rest now, or tomorrow."
"...Then rest a bit, do half tomorrow."
"Sure sure."
Lee Ho-yeon smiled, chatting easily. Ellis felt something odd. She'd been jealous inside, but he was purely worried, massaging her. The gap embarrassed her.
"What's up? Hurting again?"
"...No. Haa."
Ellis squeezed her eyes shut, then open, banishing the gloom. Fine. She'd suffered to save him too. Time to act confident.
Playing it cool, she continued casually.
"Wanna talk a bit? I said I'd tell you about Iris Guild, right? We're heading there in days."
"Oh, yeah! Tell me—I had questions anyway."
Lee Ho-yeon nodded eagerly, grinning like a puppy following its owner. Silly little thing, but seeing him happy cheered her up a tad. Embracing the strange feeling, Ellis kept talking.